'Oh, What a Beautiful Morning, Oh, What a Beautiful Day, I've got a Beautiful Feeling, Everything's going my Way!'

Well things are certainly going Saundersfoot Footlights' way as they are currently staging a successful production of the musical Oklahoma!

The company, directed by Helen Wright, has once again pulled out all the stops for their foot-tapping annual show which is taking place at the Regency Hall.

Oklahoma tells the tale of Curly (Will Oliver who is delighted to be playing one of the principal characters in his favouite show), a cowboy who has trouble admitting his love for Laurey (played by Sallie Griffiths in her first lead role), as she does for him, because they are both so stubborn.

Jud, the hired hand (Roger Leese who everyone knows best as the pantomime dame), also loves Laurey and tries to come between her and Curly - but who will she choose?

Meanwhile, Ado Annie (Leanne Algeo who just couldn't say no to the part), also has a choice to make. Will (Paul Fifield keeping his feet on firm ground having played a pirate and sailor in recent shows) has strong feelings for her and wants to marry her, but pedlar Ali Hakim (the versatile Steve Butler) thinks that he is irresistible to women and although he likes her, he doesn't want to marry her.

Aunt Eller (Footlights stalwart Iris Morris) is Laurey's aunt and a feisty and friendly middle-aged woman who knows everyone and is respected by all. She can see how Laurey and Curly and Annie and Will really feel about each other and is instrumental in the final outcome.

Stunning scenery takes the audience from Laurey's farmhouse to Jud's Smoke House and on to the Skidmore Ranch, while well-known songs like 'Oh, What a Beautiful Morning', 'People will say We're in Love' and 'The Surrey with the Fringe on Top' are guaranteed to get you humming along.

Along with Helen, musical director Kate Wright - working on her first show for Footlights - choreographer Andrea Thomas and costumes by Pat Williams and helpers must also be praised for their handiwork which certainly contributes to an enjoyable show.

Other cast members are: Paul Varallo - Andrew Carnes; Allison Franklin - Gertie Cummings; Kim Thomas - Cord Elam; Brian White - Ike Skidmore; Maurice Griffiths - Fred; Lucy Morris - Dream Laurey; Josh Tanner - Dream Curly; Roger Leese - Dream Jud.

Dream dancers - Gill Butler, Janina Evans, Allison Franklin, Eleanor Brown, Lucy John, Lucinda Perrett, Angharad Thomas, Emily Tranter, Maurice Griffiths, Tom Griffiths, Elliott Freeman, Kim Thomas, Gavin Wright.

Chorus: Eleanor Brown, Gill Butler, Allison Franklin, Sue Freeman, Jane Hall, Lucy John, Sheila Meades, Lucy Morris, Eunice Parkes, Lucinda Perrett, Angharad Thomas, Andrea Thomas, Emily Tranter, Vanessa Watkins, Maurice Griffiths, Tom Griffiths, Elliott Freeman, Michael Oliver, Josh Tanner, Kim Thomas, Brian White, Gavin Wright.

Production team: director - Helen Wright; production co-ordinator - Jo Morris; musical director - Kate Wright; stage manager and set design - Keith Williams; construction and scene painters - Kevin Watson, Jem Bayliss, Gavin Wright, Ceri Morris, Matt Morris, Walt Stone; choreography - Andrea Thomas; costumes - Pat Williams and helpers; front-of-house - Pauline Hunting and helpers; lighting and sound - Diane Phillips, Andrew Thomas and Kevin Watson; make-up - Natasha Allen; photographs and programmes - Sybil Whiston; props - Dave and Cath Morgan; publicity - Andrea Thomas; refreshments - Jo Morris and helpers; sweets - Begonia Sarrionandia.

Band: piano - Eileen Thomas; violin - Joy Jenkins; clarinet - Eifion Jenkins; flute - Angie Oliver; drums - Richard Allen.

The committee of Saundersfoot Footlights wish to express their thanks to all who have made the production possible, with special thanks to Evans Newsagents, Saundersfoot; Janina Louise, Tenby; Reohorn Amusements, Pembroke Dock; the Regency Hall committee; Mr. Roberts, Pembroke Dock; Clayton Business Machines, Cold Blow; Billy Jones; Griggles, Tenby; Radio Pembrokeshire.

Oklahoma still has two more performances, tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday), with curtain up at 7.30 pm.

The company's next production will be the pantomime Mother Goose.

Auditions will take place at the Regency Hall on Saturday, September 5, at 5.30 pm, and Sunday, September 6, at 2 pm. Auditions are open to all aged seven years and over (by Decemebr 1, 2009). The show will be staged from Monday, November 30 - Saturday, December 5.

CERIS HEWLINGS